10 Habits for Accident Free Driving I’ve Learned the Hard Way

Did you know that over 4 million accidents happen in North America each year? Approximatively 15% are fatalities. The causes are various, from distracted driving, to texting, alcohol, technical issues, weather conditions etc. Statics reveals that 95% of these accidents could be avoided if the drivers would drive more carefully. Is not hard to drive clean, it takes just a willingness to form good driving habits.

Consequences of impair driving

I personally used to be an impulsive driver: always in a hurry, angry on other driver less experienced, upset on red traffic lights, stupidly proud about my driving skills. By the age of 30 I have gotten fines for almost all traffic regulations: speeding impaired driving, disobeying the signs, driving on red signal, parking illegally, etc. I even got my car towed away twice because of illegal parking. Did you know that you can get fined for “excessively” honking car’s horn? Neither did I until I’ve got fined.

Learning from mistakes

All the above law violations taught me, the hard way, what are the real good driving habits. By the way, since 2005 when I had to pay $100 for honking to another driver who wouldn’t move, I never used the horn again. I flash the beam lights, but no honking! I want to shear with you these learnings, so you don’t have to encounter them. It is easy and fun, like a breakthrough in driving skills. Everything starts from one principle: create good habits behind the wheel. There are just 10 habits you have to master when driving and they will get you home safely. Here are the 10 habits to keep you out of trouble while driving:

1. The rear mirror shows your future

This habit is actually a permanent routine for me, saved me several times from accidents, once even from getting killed. I was about 50 feet away from a big intersection, in 80 km/h zone. I saw the red camera, the pedestrian light counting down, and stared at the traffic light to see if it turns yellow, so I can hit the brakes. It did when I was 20 feet from the intersection. Right before I hit the brakes, I checked my rear mirror, as usual. A 4x4 pick-up truck was storming towards me to force crossing the intersection. I’ve realized its driver wouldn’t stop before the intersection without hitting me. On the other hand, I didn’t want to have my picture in the mail, either. In a nanosecond I made my decision: I hit the brakes, and pulled as much as I could to the shoulder of the road. I glanced in the rear mirror – the pick-up truck driver saw my intention, and with a wry face he hit the brakes, too. His truck stopped with its wheels scrapping the asphalt right beside me. What a relief!

2. Always leave space between your car and the car in front of you.

This buffer zone will be a life saver if you have to suddenly stop, but the vehicle behind you doesn’t have time or any more room to do so. Especially if it is an 18 wheeler…

3. Give a warning rear red light signal before you decide to slow down

Before you decide to slow down due to various reasons – the traffic slows down, or you approach the exit, or a traffic light, always give the driver behind you a break light signal: gently touch the brake pedal with your foot without slowing the car, but just to turn on the break light for an instant. This way you draw the attention of the driver who rolls behind you.

4. Never be in a hurry, always be calm behind the wheel

Even if you try to beat the traffic, or the traffic light, the most you can save is few minutes. Always keep in mind that your life, and the file of people around you worth much more than few minutes time. If you are going to be late from a meeting, work, or an appointment, reconcile with the fact. Better arrive late than never! If you feel your adrenaline rushing to your body, breathe deeply, exhale slowly. Always drive calm!

5. Always pay attention to the car in the front before you proceed to make a right or a left turn.

I’ve paid $ 2500 for not mastering this habit. It was late in the afternoon one day, driving on a secondary road, and getting closer to a highway in north of Toronto. A driver in front of me and me were approaching the stop sign before turning right onto Highway 7. The car in the front stopped, I stopped. So far, so good. I looked to the left; it was just one car in a distance coming on the third lane. The first lanes were free of any traffic, so it was safe to proceed. I stepped on the gas pedal with my eyes to the left side of the highway. Bang! A big shock and noise, like an explosion. I ran into the car in front of me who’s driver decide to wait until the road is completely clear. I didn’t expect that! $ 2500 later I’ve learned to look twice in front of me before I make a turn.

6. Always check the blind spot before signalling and changing lanes

There is a continuous coordination between the movements of most of our body parts. When we make a gesture to the left or right, the eyes have the tendency to look in that direction too. When you drive and signal to the left or to the right, the eyes slide to that direction too. Be aware that when you want to change the lane and you check the blind spot with your head and eyes, automatically your hands will steer in that direction too, almost in the same time. Make a habit to check the blind spot first, and then signal and steer the wheel, not in the same time.

7. Never honk the car’s horn excessively.

Use short signals to announce your intention, but do not overdue it. You can get fined in most cities, and annoy the other drivers.

8. Adjust your seat in F1 position

Have you ever noticed the seat position of a Formula 1 driver? The hands are kept straight forward to almost reaching the wheel, for a maximum mobility. The legs are stretched to the maximum, just far enough to reach comfortably the gas pedal, for fast reaction. I have seen many drivers, women and men, young drivers and professionals, driving with their seat very close to the wheel. They crowd themselves between the driver seat and the steering wheel. Push your driver seat as far as you can just enough to reach comfortably the gas pedal, and the steering wheel. Drive few days this way, and your body and mind will easily learn that new position is more comfortable, more agile for driving commands, and safer in case of an accident. By the way, you don’t have to see the front of your car while you drive.

9. Drive with a relaxed state of mind

Each one of us enters the hypnotic state at least two times a day: when we go to bed, and when we drive. Have you driven from one place to another, and when arrived you don’t remember how did you get there? Have you ever “woke up” to the third lane on freeway, and you had no idea when have you changed the lanes? Have you ever missed the exit from the freeway? If yes, then you were in hypnosis. It is a good habit to drive with a relaxed state of mind and body, listening soft music, news or maybe a recorder lecture. Check yourself from time to time and make sure your mind have not drifted away from the road. If so, count yourself out “0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…wide awake”. Do it as many times you need to stay focus and alert.

10. Always be courteous, and share the road

This is my favourite, I wish all the drivers will have this habit, to be courteous with others, give space, and share the road. Reckless drivers, pushing others away, crowding others from behind, or not letting others to enter the highway traffic often can be seen on the road. Doesn’t take too much to be courteous, to let another car get in front of you, salute when others let into the traffic. It is nice to be nice and share the road.Have these 10 good driving habits and you will be out of any trouble. If you don’t have them, it is easy, just practice. Any habit that has been learned can be unlearned. Driving habits, as well as other habits can be changed, replaced, improved. For more info of how to change a habit please check http://www.hypnotherapysole.com/index.html.